The Dickinson press., 1887-10-01
PAMELA.

PAMELA.
Nine. Launoy was just putting on her hat,
preparatory to going out to attend display
of fall goods, advertised extensively by a
fashionable dry goods store.
Just at this moment she heard the front
door bell ring loudly.
Nine. Launoy looked at the clock.
"Why, it is not yet," said she to herself.
"Who can it he coming so early. 1t isn't my
reception day, anyhow, and besides am not
expecting anybody"
The door was opened hastily. An elderly
lady, with figure which was still slender,
and sparkling eyes. entered without being
announced.
"Maman!" exclaimed Nine. Launoy, II
was just going to stop at your house on re-
turning from the Bon Marchc. l haven't
seen you for three days. Will you go shop
ping with me. The papers advertise fine
SILK ut six francs forty. 1t is great bargain,
it seems"
ut is n fine time to be talking about silks"
exclaimed Nine. Martellier in voice that
seemed full of coming events slaughter,
wish to speak to you about very serious
matter"
oh! my gracious! had not noticed; your
face is not the same as usual. What has hap
pened to you:"
TO me, nothing-that is to say, nothing
personally. But as everything relating to
you".-
TO me! Why, what has happened to mel
Speak quickly. You frighten me-"
We'll, poor child. you sco'-
Nine Martellier stopped for a second; then
changing her tone she said:
''l3y the by, l have hack ut the door.
Let's go down; we can talk just as well while
riding"
But, mother, would like you to tell me. /"
Lets go down first"
carriage was standing before the resi-
dencs of Nine. Launoy. Tho two women
got into it after Nine Martellier called out to
the driver:
Thirty eight Princess street"
AS soon as tho carriage started Mme Mar
TELLER took her daughters hands in hers with
look of compassion, saying: poor darling!
foreSaw it all n year ago, when you were so
anxious to marry that Mr.. Achillc Launoy!
l thought the time would come when you
would regret having done so"
My husband! 1t is about my husband yor
speak. That trnnquillzes me little. I
know You don't fancy my poor Achilc,
although lie is always as kind MS can he to
YOU"
HE, kind to me! In what prayl'
"Why, when we got married, did ho not at
your request give up certain habits that dis
pleased you, although it made no difference to
me!--Anyllow, mamma, warned you that
if you have anything to say about my hus-
band will not believe you without proofs.n
AS You like! After all, am too kind to
be worrying about your affairs l shall
order the driver to go to Sevres street! Go
and buy your silk and let matters rest as if 1
had said nothing"
"No! No! Forgive me, l was wrong But
tell me to whose house are we going on Prin-
cess street."
You will soon learn! And MS you find 1
have never l,een very enthusiastic over Mr..
Launoy you will be compelled to acknowl-
edge that had good cause for my prejudice
Do you remember, Valentine, what oftcn
told you when you used to tire INC out with
your endless repetitions about tho gentleman.
that he was not the kind of man wished
to see YOU welded tos'
Yes, l remember-I remember! But
still, lnamm,, what has my poor Achlle been
doing wrongf"
"What has lie been doing! Why, nothing
at all, except that, although you have been
his wife barely n year, he has been deceiying
you during the last two months"
"Achille! deceiving mel" exclaimed VAL
entinc
And forgetting tho respect due her mother
she added laughingly:
Don't talk nonsense, mother! will answer
ri, r.ndilv oc-I would for ,,o,,,
own.'
"Oh, pshaw! You are foolishly blind.
When tell you
First say what you tell me-"
That's so. haven't INDUCED the secret
to you as yet. Well, here are the facts: First,
you must know that Annettc-you remember
Annette, don't you.'
"One Of your former chumbermaids7n
Exactly! Well Annette wrote to me three
days ago that she had lost her place, and that
she was seriously i'll. Sc gave me her
address, No. 81 Princess street. Wishing to
assure myself of the truth of the statement 1
went yesterday to the given address, and
found that Annette's condition was lust as she
had said"
What next, maman; what nextr'
Il am getting to it, Valentine" con-
tnued Nine. Martellier. looking out through
the carriage window.
1--WE shall soon reach Princess street, be-
cnuse we are now crossing ths Boulevard St.
German. Well, just as l was leaving An
nettes, l saw, entering the house opposite
No. 50, gentleman who, from behind, re-
sembled your husband very closely"
"Probablv he went into that house on busi-
ness!"
"Wuit while; OF course there would he
nothing strange i'll Mr.. Launoy's knowing
somebody i'll that house. But, Valentine, you
must know that a mothers heart always has
nisgivings. and something seemed to tell mo
that was OH the trail Of mystery, and
when your husband, for it was really he, dis.
appeared in the stairway, could not help
crossing over and entering the house"
"And then.'
"1he doorkeeper's box is OH the left hand
side, going in. A woman was in it, Excuse
inc, madam, said ], but will yon tell me if
you know the gentleman who has just passed
i,,-I would like to find out whether am mis-
takel.' AMI ! ca-elcssly took five franc
coin from my pu,s- On seeing this the con-
cierge beanic,i Ecr most gracious smiles upon
NE.
"'Of course l know him. said She 1T is
Mr.. Achille. one of our tenants
"'Mr. Achille--who!
81 only know lin, by his given name.
madame. He inliabits q room on the first
floor, which lie rents from Nine Marin, the
seamstress, who leases the whole floor. He
doesn't sleep there. He only comes daily ut .
O'Clock, and remains few minutes. But,
without being too inquisiiive, madame. may
l ask why you inquire about Mr. Achillc.'
TO this question gave an evasive answer,
and not wishing 10 inquire further for fear
of arousilis the suspicious Of the concierge.
gave hc, the five francs and Withdrew. Now,
will you still accuse me Of sla,lerins your
husbantl.'
Overwhelmed with grief, Valentine. after
moment of silence, replied:
Yes, indeed, you must he right.
Aud then she added. as if against her will:
sand yet. if in nli this there was some.
thing else instead of trcaccry. Why did YOU